Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Where Do I Go? ::: A Bloggy Book Tour

I am a huge admirer of Neta Jackson's writing. Her Yada Yada Prayer Series is one of my all-time favorites of Christian fiction. Why? Her writing is very real. The characters are flawed, imperfect, and need Jesus. Even those that are the church attending Christian characters. The stories are believable and encouraging to me in my spiritual walk.

That said, Mrs. Jackson's new series is no exception to this rule. Her newest book, Where Do I Go? is a new 3-book series with a small amount of cross-over from the Yada-Yada books. (Don't go into these thinking that you will mosey right along in the lives of all your favorite Yada-Yada characters). However, you do meet a new character - Gabby - who is struggling with a recent move, new home, no church, and a tough marriage. She becomes involved in Manna House, a shelter for homeless women and things start happening, both at the shelter and in her.

If you are looking for a book that would be a great stocking stuffer for a lover of Christian fiction, I give this one two thumbs up. There are two more books to be written in this series, and in a new twist, Neta Jackson's husband (Dave Jackson) is writing a companion 3-book series about some of the men in these stories. I'm intriguided with that as well and look forward to checking out his book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

They're trying something new! Not just new for them, but something completely new in Christian fiction: “Parallel novels,” two stories taking place in the same time frame, same neighborhood, involving some of the same characters living through their own dramas and crises but interacting with and affecting one another … just the way it happens in real life.

Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was when she married her husband fifteen years ago. But when the couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's business ambitions, Gabby finds the chance to make herself useful. It's there she meets the women of Manna House Women's Shelter; they need a Program Director-and she has a degree in social work. She's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But things get rough when Philip gives Gabby an ultimatum: quit her job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of their sons. Gabby must take refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday night worship: "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to? . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock."

Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “Exquisite characters coupled with God's mercy and love emanate from each page.”

Publisher's Weekly adds, “Jackson's Yada Yada series has sold half a million copies, and this new offshoot series ... promises the same.... The book's dramatic ending ... leav[es] readers eager for the next installment in the series.”

Stephanie Shepherd

Living in Tennessee and wife to one outstanding man and mama to 4 amazing munchkins. Striving to follow God in the unseen daily simple tasks in a world that wants everything to be big and in the spotlight.